• Flying Lotus @ Vicar Street, Dublin

    With the doors to Vicar Street, Dublin, opening at 7.30pm, our approach was somewhat cautious.  Surely there won’t be anybody here? We’re a bit early, right? WRONG. As we turned the corner, tickets in hand and anticipation set to almost uncomfortable levels, we were psyched to see a few hundred people milling about outside the entrance, all as giddy and as anxious to get inside as us, for a night featuring none other than the inimitable, the glorious, the Captain himself, Flying Lotus. It’s a strange, but welcome experience too, entering the cavernous venue so early and seeing it so…

  • Flying Lotus – You’re Dead!

    L.A.’s Flying Lotus (Steven Ellison) has had a somewhat circuitous musical journey since releasing his debut LP in 2006. Taking its title from his birth year, 1983 saw the beginning of a series of full-length releases that harked back to concepts and ideas – memories even of life and place – that were intrinsic to the beatsmith’s musical identity. These sonic origins, as heard on 1983 and Los Angeles, compounded the variety of deep and melodic hip hop instrumentals that J Dilla and Madlib had long been well known for, but Ellison’s interpretation of the mix-tape style was unique. It…

  • Taylor McFerrin – Early Riser

    As the oldest son of legendary vocalist and composer Bobby ‘Don’t Worry, Be Happy’ McFerrin, Taylor McFerrin has presumably had ample time to soak up as much of the unorthodox, richly diverse musicianship that the family crest must surely represent. Taylor, following in the footsteps of his father, puts on the captain’s hat for Early Riser, his debut LP courtesy of Flying Lotus’s and Ninjatune’s off-shoot label, Brainfeeder, and as a consequence, helms the production, instrumental and compositional responsibilities. Considering also that the album has been around five years in the making, it suggests that the multi-talented McFerrin – in…

  • Playlist: Ten Must-See Acts at Forbidden Fruit 2014

    With the final acts being announced at the start of the month, the stage-times and running order for this year’s Forbidden Fruit festival have just been announced. Featuring the likes of The Flaming Lips, Flying Lotus and Public Enemy, this year’s festival will also include sets from Irish acts including Girls Names and And So I Watch You From Afar. Set to take place on the grounds of Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin on the June bank holiday weekend of Saturday, May 31 and Sunday, June 1. Check out the final poster and stage-times for the festival, as well as our…

  • The Flaming Lips and more for Forbidden Fruit

    Oklahoma psych-pop masters The Flamings Lips are amongst several acts announced to play the Saturday of this year’s Forbidden Fruit festival. Taking place at Royal Hospital Kilmainham,  the festival organisers have also revealed that Bell X1, Fuck Buttons, Nils Frahm, The Young Knives, Vann Music and Flying Lotus (3D Show) will also play this year’s two-day event, taking place on Saturday, May 31 and Sunday, June 1. Priced at €49.50 for one day and €99.50 for the two, early bird tickets for the festival are currently on sale via Ticketmaster. Check out the video for the timeless ‘She Don’t Use…